Mindanao

Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippines and is home to over 25,530,000 people. This island is considered to be the major breadbasket of the Philippines with eight of the top 10 agricultural commodities exported from the Philippines.

Balay Banaag

Balay Banaag is a residential centre, run by the Marist Sisters, that provides care and support for the girl children of females working in prostitution. It is located in Davao City on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. This centre has been operating since 2010 to respond to the complex issues affecting women and their families.

There are currently 15 girls residing at the centre, all who are daughters of women who work in prostitution, ranging in age from 6 to 18 years old. Balay Banaag exists to provide these girls with a protective and caring environment that provides the appropriate emotional and psychological support to help them overcome their painful abuse experiences. This includes supporting them as they transition back into the mainstream schooling system as many have had little or no access to education.

Mercy Works in collaboration with the Australian Marist Solidarity, is supporting Balay Banaag to give a group of girls and young women a better future.

Mercy Works is proud to partner with the Australian Marist Solidarity in supporting this project in the Philippines.